Network Monitoring Technologies: Microsoft Computer Browser Service

Description of Microsoft Computer Browser Service Technology

  • A Computer Browser Service is a mechanism for collecting and distributing the lists of domains and workgroups and the connected servers.
  • The lists are displayed on Microsoft Windows Network windows and  My Network Places windows.
  • The Microsoft Computer Browser Service  architecture comprises of several networked computers that execute Browser Service functions.
  • The functions are individually mere browser service parts.
  • When the functions are combined or networked they constitute browser systems that support effective network resource information sharing.

Advantages

  • The MCBS supports varied languages, including Chinese, Japanese, Czech, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, and German.
  • It is acquired freely if it has a limited number of sensors.
  • It allows for unified monitoring, including the monitoring of virtual environments, applications, remote systems, servers, network devices, and bandwidth.
  • It supports many applications from varied vendors, including Cisco, Windows, Linux, and Dell.
  • SNMP is less effective than MCBS  on small networks.

Disadvantages

  • SNMP is more effective than Microsoft Computer Browser Service on large networks, which have many devices that can be inspected visually regularly (Microsoft, 2013).
  • SNMP is more effective than MCBS on networks covering large geographical expanses (Microsoft, 2013).
  • The MCBS does not support all languages. It only supports Chinese, Japanese, Czech, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, and German (Paessler AG, 2016).
  • Microsoft Computer Browser Service does not support every application. It supports only a few applications from specific vendors.
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